Hose apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for removing a lead sheath from a hose utilizing spaced adjustable rotary cutters in cooperation with feeding means operating forwardly and rearwardly of the cutters. The feeding means aids in the centering of the passage of the sheathed hose. Splitting means are provided to separate the lead from the hose after conveyance away from the rotary cutters.

United States Patent Mathew Kuts Akron, Ohio Jan. 28, 1970 Jan. 4, 1972 The B.F. Goodrich Company New York, N.Y.

inventor Appl. No. Filed Patented Assignee HOSE APPARATUS 7 Claims, 9 Drawing Figs.

0.8. CI 83/105, 81/951, 83/433, 83/444, 83/924 Int. Cl B26d 3/00 Field of Search 83/924, 105, 407, 425, 433, 444, 422; 8l/9.51

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 429,292 6/ 1890 Thatcher 83/924 X 3,316,781 5/1967 Bignell et al. 81/951 2,880,636 4/1959 Freedman et a1. 81/951 1,941,364 12/1933 Nunninghoff 83/924 X Primary Examiner-James M. Meister Attorneys-Joseph Januszkiewicz and W. A. Shira, Jr.

ABSTRACT: An apparatus for removing a lead sheath from a hose utilizing spaced adjustable rotary cutters in cooperation with feeding means operating forwardly and rearwardly of the cutters. The feeding means aids in the centering of the passage of the sheathed hose. Splitting means are provided to separate the lead from the hose after conveyance away from the rotary cutters.

PATENTED JAN 41972 SHEET 2 [IF 5 S O T mmm T a. 7 A WW PATENTED JAN 41972 3631; M8

SHEET 3 OF 5 8/ V w A FIG.5

(NYENTOR. M ATHEW KUTs ATTY.

HOSE APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to the manufacture of hose in which prior to vulcanization the hose is coated with lead or some such similar soft metal, and more particularly to a mechanism for facilitating the separating of the lead and the hose subsequent to vulcanization of the hose.

In the process of manufacturing hose, the hose is encased in a sheath of lead or analogous metal so that in vulcanizing the hose, the hose can be subjected to internal pressure to produce a hose of uniform outside and inside diameters. The metal sheath may be formed about the uncured hose in a variety of ways as by means of forming rolls or dies through which the metal and the hose are drawn, after which the hose within the sheath of lead is subjected to compressed air so that the hose is subjected to internal air pressure which causes the rubber, or rubber and fabric, to expand outwardly and into contact with the sheath. Heat is then applied externally or as by immersing the hose in a bath of hot liquid so that the vulcanizing or curing of the rubber takes place while the hose is subjected to internal air pressure and the material in the hose is compressed against the inner wall of the sheath. After the curing is completed the metal sheath is cut or stripped from the hose and may be remelted and used over.

The cutting or stripping of the metal sheath may be accomplished by skiving or slitting the sheath as it is being pulled along; however, difficulty has been encountered because the knives too frequently penetrate the surface of the hose. Although such penetrations may be slight, they mar the product sufficiently that it requires the scrapping of such product or the cutting of such product into shorter length, which requires the cutting of the length to specific conven tional lengths such as 25-foot sections which therefore requires the scrapping of the remainder of the good stock, merely because it is of too short a length. The machines used for such skiving employ a pair of fixed knives diametrically disposed on opposite sides of the hose or covering which are adapted to cut through the covering or sheath thereby dividing the lead covering from the hose. Unless the sheath is skived to the proper depth, the separation becomes extremely difficult; however, if the skiving penetrates the hose, then the product is scrapped. Further, there is difiiculty in centering the hose as it is being fed to the knives due to the lateral pressure exerted by the knives and in view of the inability to guide the sheath and hose between the knives and guide means behind the knives due to the necessary clearance space required to accommodate the different elements of the apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention contemplates the use of rotary knives which are cooperative with feeding means operating forwardly and rearwardly of the cutting means as well as at the cutting zone to effectively feed, center and convey the hose through the cutting apparatus. Means for separating the lead or other soft metal used as a sheath from the hose is accomplished in the apparatus effectively without marring the product. Such cutting apparatus assures an accurate control of the depth of cut of the sheath eliminating the scrapping of hose heretofore encountered. Further such cutting apparatus provides a novel conveying or feeding device for the hose as encased in the sheath, accurately centering such product for the cutting or skiving operation. Such conveying means is efficient and rapidly adjustable as well as providing for a positive feed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a hose-stripping apparatus of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the hose-stripping apparatus as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a cutter insert.

FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the hose-stripping apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of the hose-stripping apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the hose-stripping apparatus with the upper plate removed to disclose the related parts therein.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the connecting bar between the carrier member.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the rotary cutting means and the means for adjusting such knives.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the rear portion of cutting apparatus with portions removed to show the gear drive means for the chain and the carrier member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown in FIG. 1 a baseplate l0 supporting a pair of spaced vertically extending sideplate members 11 and 12 suitably joined at their upper ends by a plate member 13 forming a support means.

Mounted in the forward portion of the support means is a rectangular-shaped carrier member 15 (FIGS. 5 and 6) which is pivotally secured to the respective sideplates l1 and 12, at their respective center portions, indicated in FIGS. 5 and 6, as by coaxially aligned shafts 16-16. Mounted in the rearward portion of the support means is a second rectangular-shaped carrier member 17 pivotally mounted thereon, as by a pair of spaced shafts 18 and 19. Shaft 19 journals the carrier member 17 for free pivotal movement with respect to the side member 12, whereas shaft 18 is joumaled for rotation within member 11 as by a bushing 20 (FIG. 9); however, integrally connected with the side member of the rectangular-shaped carrier member 17, as by suitable bolts 21 (FIG. 9). Carrier member 15 has a lower plate 22 and an upper-plate 23 to form a rectangular-shaped structure. The outer end portion of shaft 18 has a lever member 25 suitably secured thereto as by suitable setscrew 26 (FIG. 9). Lever member 25 (FIG. 1) has an arcuate slot 28 extending along the intermediate portion thereof with the radius thereof on the center of shaft 18. Rotation of .lever member 25 pivots the carrier member 17 therewith and may be locked to any adjusted position through the manipulation of stop member 29 which comprises a cylindrical stud 30 threadedly engaged with the threaded bore of a cylindrical stud 30 threadedly engaged with the threaded bore of a cylindrical boss 31 (FIG. 6), which boss 31 is secured to the side member 11. Rotation of the cylindrical stud 30 via laterally extending arms 32 positively secures the lever member 25 into engagement with such cylindrical stop boss 31 to prevent the rotation of such lever member. Such rotation of the lever member 25 and the carrier member 17 and locking -it in the desired position is for a purpose clearly described hereinafter.

Carrier member 15 has a pair of spaced shafts 33 and 34 (FIG. 5) suitably joumaled thereon for rotation. Suitably keyed to the respective shafts 33 and 34 are sprockets 35 and 36. Carrier member 17 is similar in construction to carrier member 15 having a lower plate member 37 and an upper plate member 38; however, extending vertically between the respective end portions of such plate members 37 and 38 are a pair of sideplate members 39 and 40 and an intermediate plate member 41. A shaft 42 (FIGS. 5 and 9) joumaled on the lower portion of carrier member 17 has keyed to one end thereof a spur gear 43 and keyed to the intermediate portion thereof a sprocket 44. .loumaled for rotation in theupper end portion of the carrier member 17 is a shaft 45, which shaft 45 extends outwardly through carrier member 17 and has keyed to such outer end portion a spur gear 46 while keyed to its intermediate portion a spur gear 47, which gear 47 meshes with spur gear 43. Secured for rotation with shaft 45 is a sprocket 50. Sprocket 50 on carrier member 17 is in coaxial alignment with sprocket 35 on carrier member 15, such that a sprocket chain 51 (FIG. 5) encircles the respective sprockets 50 and 35 for rotation therearound. Sprocket 44 on carrier member 17 is in alignment with sprocket 36 on carrier member 15 to accommodate a sprocket chain 52 which encircles sprockets 44 and 36 for continuous movement thereabout. interconnecting the respective carrier members 15 and 17 is a yoke member 60 (FIGS. 7 and 6), which member 60 comprises a longitudinally extending member 61 with a pair of cross braces 62 at the respective end portions thereof. Extending forwardly from each crossbrace 62 are a pair of spaced brackets 63 and 64. Suitably journaled for rotation on the respective shafts 34 and 42 and interconnecting the lower portion of carrier members 15 and 17 is a second yoke member 65 similar in construction to yoke member 60. Mounted on sideplate member 12 and suitably secured thereto is a platform or support 70 (FIGS. 2, 4 and 6), which support 70 is additionally supported by a plate member 69. Mounted on support 70 is a motor 71 operatively connected by transmission means 72 to an output shaft 73 (FIGS. 4, 6 and 9), which shaft 73 has its one end joumaled for rotation in the sideplate 12. Keyed to shaft 73 for rotation therewith is a spur gear 74, which spur gear 74 meshes with spur gear 46, which in turn rotates spur gears 47 and 43 by its splined connection to shaft 45 (FIG. 9). Rotation of spur gear 47 drives shaft 45 which in turn drives the sprocket S and the chain 51 for a purpose to be described, whereas spur gear 43 rotates shaft 42 and the sprocket 44 along with chain 52 for a purpose to be described.

Suitably secured to the respective sideplates I1 and 12 and extending inwardly thereof are pairs of guide plates 75, 76 and 77, 78 (FIG. 6). Journaled for rotation in the upper plate 13 (FIG. is a shaft 80 having secured to one end thereof a hand wheel 81 for rotating such shaft. The other end of shaft 80 threadedly engages a threaded bore 82 of a boss 83 (FIGS. 5 and 8) which boss 83 is suitably connected to the intermediate portion of a U-shaped member 85 (FIG. 8) which has the outer end portions or leg members thereof tapered as at 86 and 87 to provide for the adjusting means of the cutters in a manner to be described. Extending in a horizontal plane between the respective vertically extending plates 75 and 76 are a pair of guide blocks 90 and 91 suitably secured to such respective sideplates to guide the movement of a cutter block 92, which cutter block 92 is recessed as at its intermediate portion to rotatably receive a circular cutter 93. The cutting edge of the cutter 93 lies in a horizontal plane. The rearward end portion of such cutter block 92 is tapered and supports rollers 95 and 96 which in turn rollingly engage the tapered portion 87 of U-shaped member 85. In a similar manner a pair of spaced horizontally extending guide blocks 97 and 98 are mounted between the respective sideplates 77 and 78 to guide the horizontal movement of a cutter slide block 99 which has its forwardly disposed portion recessed to suitably rotatably receive a circular cutter 100. The cutting edge of cutter 100 lies in a horizontal plane. The rearwardly disposed portion of the cutter slide block 99 is tapered and supports rollers 101 and 102 which in turn rollingly engage the tapered portion 86 of U-shaped member 85 slidingly received by sideplate member 77 and 78. As shown in FIG. 6, U-shaped member 85 has its respective outer end portions in rolling contact with a plurality of rollers 105 that are joumaled in the respective sideplates 75, 76 and 77, 78 to facilitate the vertical and downwardly movement of such U-shaped member 85. Through the rotation of hand wheel 81 U-shaped member 85 is moved upwardly or downwardly to move the respective cutter blocks 99 and 92 toward or away from the longitudinal center line of the sheathed tube to be worked on. The respective sideplates 75, 76, 77 and 78 have pins 106 (FIG. 6) extending laterally outwardly therefrom to provide for the fastening of a tension spring 108 which spring 108 has its other end portion suitably secured to pins 109 which pins 109 are secured to the respective cutter blocks 92 and 99 to thereby bias such side blocks away from the longitudinal pass line of the tube into engagement with the cam-shaped surfaces 87 and 86 respectively.

As best seen in FIGS. 4, 5 and 9, sideplate member 12 has an annular-shaped recess 110 to accommodate the pivotal movement of shaft 45 when carrier member 17 is pivoted. The

forward portion of the support means has a plate member 112 suitably secured to the forwardly disposed portions of the sideplate members II and I2 and having its central portion thereof recessed as at 113 (FIG. 5) which recess receives a suitable die member 114 which acts as a guide means for the encased hose, or conduit, that is being conveyed to the cutting apparatus. The die member 114 operates to a position and centralize the lead encased conduit or hose 115 as it is introduced into the cutting apparatus. Mounted at the rearwardly disposed portion of the support means are plate members 120, 121 and plate members 122 and 123. Plate members and 121 are suitably recessed and cooperate with suitable bracket members secured to the rearwardly disposed portion of the support means to guide a slide block (FIGS. 4 and 6). In a similar manner guide plates I22 and 123 are suitably recessed and cooperate with suitable bracket members secured to the rearwardly disposed portion of the supported means to guide a second slide block 128 (FIGS. 4 and 6). Each slide block 125 and 128 has a laterally extending bracket 129 and 130 with a threaded bore extending longitudinally therethrough, which bore suitably threadedly receives the threaded portion of studs I31 and 132. Studs 131 and 132 limit the movement of such slide blocks toward and away from the longitudinal pass line of the cutting apparatus in a manner to be described. Stop blocks 135 and 136 all suitably secured to guide plate members 120 and 121 and 123 and 122, which stop blocks are adapted to be abuttingly engaged by the end of the studs 131 and 132 which limits the movement of such slide blocks 125 and 128. Mounted on the respective end portions of the support means are a pair of spaced hydraulic cylinders 138 and 140 which have their respective piston rods suitably connected to the respective slide blocks 125 and 128 such that upon pressurization of the head end of the respective cylinders, the slide blocks 125 and 128 are moved horizontally inwardly toward the longitudinal pass line of the cutting apparatus. Mounted on the forwardly disposed portion of the slide blocks 125 and 128 are a pair of cutter inserts I41 and 142 which have a cutter or splitter I43 mounted thereon. Cutter or splitter 143 tapers in a forwardly direction from the rearward portion as shown in FIG. 3.

In the operation of the apparatus described, a conduit or hose 115 covered by a lead sheath is advanced into the cutter apparatus such as to be received by die member 114 which positions and locates the longitudinal pass line of the hose. As the hose is advanced into the apparatus, motor 71 is energized which rotates gear 74, gears 47 and 43, which in turn rotate sprockets 44 and 50. Sprockets 44 and 50 drive the sprocket chains 51 and 52 such that the upper run portion of chain 52 and the lower run portion of chain 51 are moving leftward as viewed in FIG. 5. Simultaneously with such action, the operator rotates handwheel 81 which in turn moves the Ushaped member 85 downward, camming cutter blocks 92 and 99 inwardly towards the longitudinal pass line of the hose. Shaft 80 has a hub 144 secured thereto which in turn has indicia thereon cooperating with marked indicia on a stationary hub 145 secured to plate 13 to indicate the location of cutters 93 and 100. Upon rotation of stud 30, lever arm member 25 is unlocked and is adapted to be rotated in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1, which action pivots carrier member 17 (FIG. 5) in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 5 about the axis of shafts 18-19. Shaft 45 is pivoted along with carrier member 17 such as to move along arcuate slot 110, moving gear 46 in a rolling contact with gear 74. As carrier member 17 is pivoted, yoke members 60 and 65 act in unison and pivot carrier member 15 counterclockwise, as viewed in FIG. 5, such that the upper run of sprocket chain 52 and the lower run of sprocket chain 51 approach each other until they contact the hose 115 and operate as a feeding means and a centering means, since the sprocket chains are rotating and the individual links have their spaced outer edges centering the hose towards the center of the roller portion of the chain. Upon locking of stop member 29 in position, the sprocket chains are locked in position. This action assures the feeding action of the encased hose, which chain exerts a feeding action forwardly of the cutters 93 and 100, as well as a feeding action rearwardly of the cutters. The head end of hydraulic cylinders 138 and 140 are pressurized to move the respective slide blocks 125 and 128 toward each other until stop blocks 131 and 132 limit such movement as detennined by the prior adjustment studs 131 and 132. With suitable indicia on the respective slide blocks 125 and 128 and the plate members 120 and 123 the operator can accurately set the position of splitters 143. As the encased hose 115 approaches such inserts, such hose is guided by a bifurcated die member 146 so that the forwardly disposed portion of the splitters 143 enter the cut made by the rotating cutters 93 and 100 such as to separate the split lead case from the hose without marking or damaging the hose or conduit as it moves out and away from the cutter apparatus. With the cutters 93 and 100 being circular, they accurately and efficiently score and cut the lead sheath with even pressure without scoring the hose.

Various modifications are contemplated and may be resorted to by those skilled in the art without departing from the teachings of the described invention as hereinafter defined by the appended claims, as only a preferred embodiment thereof has been disclosed.

Iclaim:

1. An apparatus for separating the sheath from the encased hose comprising, a support means, said support means having a pair of vertically extending side members, a die member having a longitudinally extending horizontal pass line that extends through said support means which is parallel to the plane of said side members mounted on one end of said support means, a pair of guide plates secured to the intermediate portion of each of said vertically extending side members, said pairs of guide plates extending inwardly toward each other, a cutter block mounted in each pair of guide plates for movement toward and away from each other, cam means mounted on said support means and extending into contact with said cutter blocks, biasing means interconnecting said cutter blocks and said guide plates for biasing said cutter blocks into engagement with said cam means, a circular cutter means mounted on each of said cutter blocks having a circular cutting edge such that a plane passing through said cutting edges of said circular cutter means contains said longitudinal pass line, splitting means mounted on the other end of said support means in alignment with said circular cutters to separate the sheath from the hose as it passes therethrough, conveying means mounted in said support means operative to feed encased hose to said circular cutters along said pass line, and said conveying means being operative to direct said encased hose from said circular cutting means to said splitting means.

2. An apparatus for separating the sheath from an encased hose as set forth in claim 1 wherein said conveying means comprises a pair of spaced carrier members mounted on said support means, each carrier member being mounted for pivotal movement thereon about a horizontally extending axis, means interconnecting said carrier members for simultaneous pivoted movement, each carrier member having an upper and a lower sprocket gear mounted thereon with the axes thereof in parallel relationship with the pivot axis of said carrier member, said pivot axis of each of said carrier members being located between said axes of said upper and lower sprocket gears, a first sprocket chain encircling said upper sprocket gears, a second sprocket chain encircling said lower sprocket gears, and drive means operatively connected to said sprocket gears for rotation thereof to move the upper run of said first chain in the same direction as the lower run of said second chain.

3. A sheath-cutting apparatus for cutting and removing a sheath from a hose comprising, support means, guide means mounted on the forward portion of said support means, guide means mounted on the rearward portion of said support means cooperative with said guide means on the forward portion of said support means for centering the hose to define a longitudinal pass line, a pair of s aced cuttenmeans mounted on said support means on opposi e sides of said pass line, feed means mounted on said support means for feeding a sheathed hose from said guide means on the forward portion of said support means to said guide means on the rearward portion of said support means, each of said cutter means including circular rotatable cutters, splitting means mounted adjacent to said guide means on said rearward portion of said support means for separating the precut sheath from said hose, said feed means comprises a pair of spaced carrier members pivotally mounted on said support means, each of said carrier members having a pair of sprockets rotatably joumaled thereon, means interconnecting said carrier members to provide simultaneous pivoting action thereof, chain means encompassing oppositely disposed sprockets on each of said carrier members to provide an upper conveying run and a lower conveying run that is in vertical alignment with said longitudinal pass line, and splitting means mounted adjacent to said guide means on said rearward portion of said support means for separating the precut sheath from said hose.

4. A sheath-cutting apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said cutter means includes camming means operatively connected to each of said circular cutters for moving said cutters a predetermined distance toward or away from each other.

5. A sheath-cutting apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said camming means comprises a U-shaped member having a pair of leg members which are tapered, cutter blocks journaled on said support means for movement toward and away from each other, each of said cutter blocks supporting said circular rotating cutters, each of said cutter blocks having a tapered edge abuttingly engaging the taper'on one of said leg members which effects adjustments in the position of said circular cutters.

6. A sheath-cutting apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said splitting means on said rearwardly disposed portion of said support means includes a pair of spaced cutter slide blocks movable toward and away from each other, each of said cutter blocks having a tapered cutter insert in alignment with the circular rotatable cutters, and power operated means for positioning said cutter blocks into alignment with said circular cutters for removing the sheath from the hose as it passes by said cutter inserts.

7. A sheath-cutting apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein lever means are operatively connected to one of said carrier members for pivoting said one carrier member on said support means, and lock means interconnecting said lever means and said support means to secure said lever means on said support means and said carrier members in their pivoted located position. 

1. An apparatus for separating the sheath from the encased hose comprising, a support means, said support means having a pair of vertically extending side members, a die member having a longitudinally extending horizontal pass line that extends through said support means which is parallel to the plane of said side members mounted on one end of said support means, a pair of guide plates secured to the intermediate portion of each of said vertically extending side members, said pairs of guide plates extending inwardly toward each other, a cutter block mounted in each pair of guide plates for movement toward and away from each other, cam means mounted on said support means and extending into contact with said cutter blocks, biasing means interconnecting said cutter blocks and said guide plates for biasing said cutter blocks into engagement with said cam means, a circular cutter means mounted on each of said cutter blocks having a circular cutting edge such that a plane passing through said cutting edges of said circular cutter means contains said longitudinal pass line, splitting means mounted on the other end of said support means in alignment with said circular cutters to separate the sheath from the hose as it passes therethrough, conveying means mounted in said support means operative to feed encased hose to said circular cutters along said pass line, and said conveying means being operative to direct said encased hose from said circular cutting means to said splitting means.
 2. An apparatus for separating the sheath from an encased hose as set forth in claim 1 wherein said conveying means comprises a pair of spaced carrier members mounted on said support means, each carrier member being mounted for pivotal movement thereon about a horizontally extending axis, means interconnecting said carrier members for simultaneous pivoted movement, each carrier member having an upper and a lower sprocket gear mounted thereon with the axes thereof in parallel relationship with the pivot axis of said carrier member, said pivot axis of each of said carrier members being located between said axes of said upper and lower sprocket gears, a first sprocket chain encircling said upper sprocket gears, a second sprocket chain encircling said lower sprocket gears, and drive means operatively connected to said sprocket gears for rotation thereof to move the upper run of said first chain in the same direction as the lower run of said second chain.
 3. A sheath-cutting apparatus for cutting and removing a sheath from a hose comprising, support means, guide means mounted on the forward portion of said support means, guide means mounted on the rearward portion of said support means cooperative with said guide means on the forward portion of said support means for centering the hose to define a longitudinal pass line, a pair of spaced cutter means mounted on said support means on opposite sides of said pass line, feed means mounted on said support means for feeding a sheathed hose from said guide means on the forward portion of said support means to said guide means on the rearward portion of said support means, each of said cutter means including circular rotatable cutters, splitting means mounted adjacent to said guide means on said rearward portion of said support means for separating the precut sheath from said hose, said feed means comprises a pair of spaced carrier members pivotally mounted on said support means, each of said carrier members having a pair of sprockets rotatably journaled thereon, means interconnecting said carrier members to provide simultaneous pivoting action thereof, chain means encompassing oppositely disposed sprockets on each of said carrier members to provide an upper conveying run and a lower conveying run that is in vertical alignment with said longitudinal pass line, and splitting means mounted adjacent to said guide means on said rearward portion of said support means for separating the precut sheath from said hose.
 4. A sheath-cutting apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said cutter means includes camming means operatively connected to each of said circular cutters for moving said cutters a predetermined distance toward or away from each other.
 5. A sheath-cutting apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said camming means comprises a U-shaped member having a pair of leg members which are tapered, cutter blocks journaled on said support means for movement toward and away from each other, each of said cutter blocks supporting said circular rotating cutters, each of said cutter blocks having a tapered edge abuttingly engaging the taper on one of said leg members which effects adjustments in the position of said circular cutters.
 6. A sheath-cutting apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said splitting means on said rearwardly disposed portion of said support means includes a pair of spacEd cutter slide blocks movable toward and away from each other, each of said cutter blocks having a tapered cutter insert in alignment with the circular rotatable cutters, and power operated means for positioning said cutter blocks into alignment with said circular cutters for removing the sheath from the hose as it passes by said cutter inserts.
 7. A sheath-cutting apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein lever means are operatively connected to one of said carrier members for pivoting said one carrier member on said support means, and lock means interconnecting said lever means and said support means to secure said lever means on said support means and said carrier members in their pivoted located position. 